Because there is not one educational philosophy that public school systems all subscribe to, teachers each design their classrooms and learning activities based on their own views of teaching, learning, and school. Thinking about your teaching philosophy allows you to question ideas about teaching and learning that you may otherwise have considered "common sense." This assignment is meant to provide a opportunity to "try out" your teaching philosophy in a realistic setting: Meeting the parents of your students at Back To School night. Your reading about the philosophical bases of teacher-centered and student-centered teaching may help you think through how you will teach and justify this approach to parents.
Imagine that you have just started your dream teaching job, and Back To School Night is scheduled in two weeks. Back To School Night is an evening where parents get to "attend class" in their child's classroom to meet the teacher and get a feel for what their child experiences each day. Each teacher is expected to meet and interact with the parents for about fifteen minutes. You need to decide what will occur during this time.
Dream Job: To become an elementary education teacher
Grade Level: second grade
School Description: Elementary school K-4
Subject (If High or Middle School):
1. What questions and concerns do you think parents will have?
I think parents will want to know what the discipline and homework policies are so they can be aware of how their child is being treated in school and what is expected of them.
2. What do you want parents to know about how you think students learn?
I want the parents to know that I like to teach visually and I think all children learn more when they can see it for themselves and can participate in hands on activities.
3. What do you want parents to understand about your approach to teaching?
I want parents to know that I like to do fun activities with the children and want them to learn in different ways. They can learn from each other and myself.
4. What do you expect of their children as students? Why?
I expect the children to pay attention and participate in activities so I know that they are listening and learning.
5. What is your policy concerning classroom behavior? How do you justify this approach?
The classroom behavior is very important and the children need to always pay attention. I want to do more fun activities that involve thinking and having fun. If they are not behaving, then they cannot participate in the group activity or do not get rewards. Children need to behave and be able to learn without misbehaving.
6. What is your policy concerning homework? How do you justify this approach?
My homework policy is that all students must do their homework or they have consequences. I will not be assigning a lot of homework, so if it is not done there is no reason because it is a small amount. The children need to be able to learn both in and out of school and by giving them homework it shows they are working at home as well.
There are no wrong answers to these questions. If you would like 5 pts extra credit on the participation portion of your grade, you can post your answers on the wikispace using the EDC 102 Back To School Night template.
Back To School Night
Name: Meghan St. Jean
Because there is not one educational philosophy that public school systems all subscribe to, teachers each design their classrooms and learning activities based on their own views of teaching, learning, and school. Thinking about your teaching philosophy allows you to question ideas about teaching and learning that you may otherwise have considered "common sense." This assignment is meant to provide a opportunity to "try out" your teaching philosophy in a realistic setting: Meeting the parents of your students at Back To School night. Your reading about the philosophical bases of teacher-centered and student-centered teaching may help you think through how you will teach and justify this approach to parents.
Imagine that you have just started your dream teaching job, and Back To School Night is scheduled in two weeks. Back To School Night is an evening where parents get to "attend class" in their child's classroom to meet the teacher and get a feel for what their child experiences each day. Each teacher is expected to meet and interact with the parents for about fifteen minutes. You need to decide what will occur during this time.
Dream Job: To become an elementary education teacher
Grade Level: second grade
School Description: Elementary school K-4
Subject (If High or Middle School):
1. What questions and concerns do you think parents will have?
I think parents will want to know what the discipline and homework policies are so they can be aware of how their child is being treated in school and what is expected of them.
2. What do you want parents to know about how you think students learn?
I want the parents to know that I like to teach visually and I think all children learn more when they can see it for themselves and can participate in hands on activities.
3. What do you want parents to understand about your approach to teaching?
I want parents to know that I like to do fun activities with the children and want them to learn in different ways. They can learn from each other and myself.
4. What do you expect of their children as students? Why?
I expect the children to pay attention and participate in activities so I know that they are listening and learning.
5. What is your policy concerning classroom behavior? How do you justify this approach?
The classroom behavior is very important and the children need to always pay attention. I want to do more fun activities that involve thinking and having fun. If they are not behaving, then they cannot participate in the group activity or do not get rewards. Children need to behave and be able to learn without misbehaving.
6. What is your policy concerning homework? How do you justify this approach?
My homework policy is that all students must do their homework or they have consequences. I will not be assigning a lot of homework, so if it is not done there is no reason because it is a small amount. The children need to be able to learn both in and out of school and by giving them homework it shows they are working at home as well.
There are no wrong answers to these questions. If you would like 5 pts extra credit on the participation portion of your grade, you can post your answers on the wikispace using the EDC 102 Back To School Night template.